Yesterday I was standing in front of the Honey Lake Gathering Hall, (the very best place for cell phone reception on the property), heavily engaged in an important phone conference. One of our guests came out on the porch and stood there looking at me for some time as I paced back and forth talking on the phone.
I knew from the way he was acting that he wanted to talk to me, but my call was simply too important to excuse myself. He stood there for the longest time and finally mouthed the words, “I need to talk to you when you’re through”. I nodded and continued with my conversation. The call lasted so long my ear was likely damaged and I probably had microwave damage to my brain, but finally, (mercifully), it ended.
By this time the guest had returned to the front porch and now he had his wife with him. I walked over to them and apologized and introduced myself. As soon as he told me his name I recognized him as a Words for the Day reader, but more importantly I remembered that I’d prayed for him numerous times over the last couple of years.
His daughter is married to a programmer that used to work for my old software company and now works for my son’s new software company. Apparently she and her husband started reading Words for the Day while he was working at my former company and still subscribe, even though many years have elapsed.
One day she wrote and told me that her dad had cancer and asked me to pray for him. I remembered her dad because he often wrote WFTD and commented on stories that had to do with hunting, fishing, and God’s great outdoors. He is an avid outdoorsman himself and appreciated those articles.
I did pray for him and also wrote him several times and encouraged him to keep fighting. His cancer was lymphoma and his prognosis was not good; in fact the docs just gave him a 10-30% chance of survival. His treatment went on for quite some time and he suffered with it greatly. Occasionally I would get updates and as is the nature with cancer treatment, some of the time the news was good and sometimes not so good. I steadfastly told them to keep praying and I did the same.
Ultimately he underwent a bone marrow transplant and today all signs of his cancer are completely gone.
Praise God!
As we stood there talking I told him he looked as healthy as a horse and he told me that he was. They’d been down in Carrabelle fishing and had decided that since they were so close to Honey Lake that they would stop in and see it; (after all they’d been hearing about it for years via WFTD). Even though we were deluged with rain and the property was drenched, they were not disappointed in its beauty, and they seemed to enjoy the splendor with which God has adorned this gorgeous piece of heaven on earth.
After our conversation they asked if the church was open and if they could go sit in it for a while. I smiled and said the church is always open during the day and we encourage folks to go in it. And with that we shook hands and parted company.
I was reviewing this in my mind this morning and I thought how appropriate it was to meet these fine people on the National Day of Prayer. I’d already been praying off and on between meetings and phone calls most all of the day. After they left I went to the Lord and thanked him for healing this great man of God who loves Him with all of his heart. I praised Him for allowing him more time to serve Him and also to enjoy his family and the great outdoors for which he loves and is so passionate.
I’ve said it many times, but it’s worth repeating, PRAYER WORKS! Don’t give up on God my friends, and when He delivers, don’t be slow to thank him for answering those prayers.
While it is true that there is a time and place for all of us to die, intercessory prayer is ordained and blessed by God. There are countless instances in the Bible where God heard and healed after intense prayer. God tells us to pray and to have faith in him that He will hear our prayers and answer them affirmatively.
There are also many examples whereby judgment was withheld after great sins had been committed against God and intercessory prayer was offered to Him. To tell the truth most of the prayers I offered yesterday were pleading with God to withhold judgment on America for her great sins and that He give us a chance to right what is wrong with her and to allow us more time to do so.
I have faith that He will grant this prayer, but we need more people to pray for America…I urge you to do so right now wherever you are sitting and no matter what you are doing. I urge you to do so every day.
Have a great weekend and go to Honey Lake Church, (or somewhere) this weekend. Remember we have Phil Keaggy coming to Honey Lake Church in just two more weeks, (May 11th). You do not want to miss one of the best guitar players in the world, nor do you want to miss his amazing testimony. As a special treat he will be joined on stage by Ken Mansfield, former Beatles manger of all of the United States. Together these good friends have quite a testimony for Christ and the music; well, let me share a secret, you won’t hear any better this side of heaven. AMEN!
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 14:13
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it
Mark 9:29
And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Acts 9:40
But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
James 5:14
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May 2, 2014 – Click here to listen